Morning journal and courier., 1887-03-26
THE STATUE OF PEACE.

which il to Crown the Soldiers and
Sailors Monument ON East Rock
Park-AH 1s Ready to Place 1t In PO-
sitiOn-W aiting for Calm Weather
The Visit of Dignitartes to the Monu-
ment Yesterday.
Several members of the original building
committee of the soldiers and sailors monu-
ment went to the top of East Rock yesterday
afternoon to look at the bronze figure of
"Peace" which is to be placed in position on
the summit of the monument soon as the
weather will permit. In the town "carryall"
went Town Agent Reynolds, ex-senator
Plunkett, Conrad Hofacker, Colonel Samuel
Tolles, John Mccarthy and representatives Of
the COURIER and Palladium. In General S.
E. Merwin's private carriage, beside himself,
went Hon. N. D. Spsrry and Tax Collector
T. A. futile, while Col. S. J. Fox drove up
his own team.
The wind was blowing gale on the top of
the rock, but notwithstanding this fact
number of private teams were met on the
way up and one lone horseman in the person
of Prof. M. Steinert, who seemed to enjoy
the bracing air.
The figure of ''Peace" is now in a pros
trate position on its back at the east side of
place whenever Messrs. Smith & Sperry see
fit to elevate it to its lofty position five hun
bred feet above the level of Underwater. The
features of the female figure and the general
proportions and contour of the form were
| much admired and generally considered
faultless. The massive bronze figure weighs
about three thousand pounds and when
finally secured in position and the staging
which now surrounds the monument is
| removed will greatly add to the beauty of
the noble structure.
Some of the visitors climbed the iron
stairway to the final landing place at
the top of the monument and
took in the grand view that
was spread out before them on Az sides for
miles away. The wind blew through the
| apertures or openings in the monument q
hundred feet from its base at a furiouse rate
and brief stop was sufficient for those whe
| had ventured to make the ascent.
The grounds about the monument were
then inspected, and it was the universal
opinion that the hillock, or knoll at the
| south and east, should be graded down to the
| roadway so as to give an unobstructed view
of the base when driving around 'monu-
ment circle"
Two places for the encampment of the
Grand Army on the occasion of the dedica-
ton were pointed out by Mr.. Mccarthy, one
being on the level plateau at the foot of
Snake Rock and Indian Head, and the other
on the large lot ON the west side of Orange
street, just before crossing the bridge. The
site at the foot of the rock seemed to meet
with the most favor, as it is nearer and east
er of access to the summit of the rock and
quite as easy of access for visitors from the
center of the city, who could take the State
street horse cars.
1t was thought by the committee that the
monument would be substantially completed
by the middle of May, and that before the
time for dedication arrived the park Gem
missioners would have large part of the
grading about the monument completed, al
| though it may be a year or two before this
work, which viii include the identifying of
the grounds, is brought to u successful CON
elusion. -